Apparatus for vacuum sealing canned food



2 Sheets-Sheet4 1 Jan. 4, 1949. w. J. CHAMBERS APPARATUS FOR VACUUMSEALING CANNED FOOD Filed sept. 22, 1945 Jan. 4, 1949. W, J, CHAMBERS2,457,867

APPARATUS FOR, VACUUM SEALING CANNED FOOD .Filed Sept. 2 2; ,1945 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 4, 1949 T OFFICE ,APPARATUS Fon VACUUMsEALIN CANNED EooD I r William J. chambers, chicago, nl.4 Applicationseptember 22, 1945, serial No. 617,979

, 1 The present invention apparatus for vacuum sealing canneddfood andis particularly concerned 'with portablev devices 7 Claims.` (Cl.226-82) adaptedto be used in the home. When vcanned food such as fruitsand vegetables are subjected d' to the methods of the prior art invacuum sealing considerable spoilage results, which sometimes amounts toasmuch as 25% ofthe food canned with the methods of the prior art;

One yof the objects of the present invention is the provision ofimproved methods and apparatus of the portable type `which can be usedin the home, by means of jwhich the operator may be assured of gettingthe upper end of the jar sterile and the cap applied in such manneras toproduce a vacuum with'outgetting anygerms in the top of the jar thatmayv cause spoilage or ptomaine poisoning."l `f` Another objectfoftheinvention `is the pro- Visionof improved vmethods and` apparatus bymeans of `which caps 'may b e applied to jars containing fruits orvegetables at home with a much bettervacuum and substantially withoutany spoilage as compared fwith the methods and apparatus of the priorvart.`

Another object of the invention is provision or"` improved methods "andapparatus for vacuum canned sealing'whichare equally adaptable to theapplication of metal covers or glass covers, and which may befused withall kinds of fruit jars d v Another object olpthe invention is theprovision of an improved portable apparatus for vacuum canned sealing`which `may be operated to produce absolutely sterile conditions andwhich may be operated very expeditiously 'so that' food vmay be vacuumsealed at home `fully as effectively as it can be donc with thecomplicated factory machines and methods of the prior art.

v Another object of the ,invention is the provision of improved vacuumsealing apparatus vwhich may `be. manufactured very cheaply so that it4may be placed onthe market at a low price and so that it can bepurchased by` the general public with a minimum amount yof eX- relatesto methods and dit sion of improvedvacuum sealing apparatus of the classdescribed, `which is mechanically safe against danger of accident to theoperator and which may be used upon fruit containers of various diierentsizes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings in which similarcharacters of references indicate similar parts throughout the severalviews:

Referring to the two sheets of drawings:

` Fig; 1 isa diagrammatic'elevational view showing the apparatusassemblyin connection with a food container of the fruit jar type;

Fig.' 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the axsof vthe centrallylocated plunger of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows withthe plunger, handle and jar in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a modification with the vacuumsealing device shown in partial section on a vertical axial plane;

Fig. lis a horizontal sectional View taken on the'plane of the line4--4of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows, and

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the modified apparatus of Fig. 3.

`Referring to Fig. 1, the apparatus assembly there illustratedpreferably includes a source of steam under pressure such as the kettleI0, a connecting conduit and the vacuum sealing device I2 whichisshownin connection with a fruit jar 13." I

The fruit rjar may be of the usual type comprising a glass containerhaving a cylindrical upper portion I4 provided with helical screwthreads I5, and` it is provided with a, radially extending flangeIByupon which the vacuum sealing device may rest, as shown in Fig. 2.

The jar I3 may be closed by means of a metal cap I'l, as shownvin Fig.2, or by means of a glass cap I8, as shown inr Fig. 3. The metal cap I1comprises a sheet metal member made of iron or steel, which ispreferably covered with a coating of vtin and it is circular in shape,and provided adjacent its edge with' a pressed rib formation I9 whichforms a downward groove 20 that engages the top edge 2| of the jar I3.The groove 2l) of the cap Il is provided with a ,sealing compound 22which adheres to the cap and is already in position to effectan3air-tight seal with the jar I 3 when the capis applied. Seal 22 mayalso be looseon cap; l

vSuch caps may be purchased upon the open market and may be'of variousshapes, but the apparatus lin Fig.` 2 is particularly adapted tohousewife.

3 apply caps made of magnetic metal. This apparatus, however, may beprovided with the ngers 23 of Fig. 3 that are adapted to engage a glasscover or some other nonmagnetic cover. The apparatus of Fig. 3 mightalso be provided with a magnet, as shown in Fig. 2. The kettle I mayconsist of any suitable sheet metal container or cast metal. containerfor generating steam. It is provided with a filling opening 24 at thecenter top that is closed by a cover 25. The filling opening 24 may bebordered by a downwardly turned flange 26, and this ilange has an.air-tight fric.- tional engagement with the cover` 25.

The cover 25 may comprise a sheet metal member having a circular body 21provided` with a.

knob 28, and the circular body 21 isbordered by annular depending andupwardly extending flanges 29, 30 which are substantially U-shaped incross section. This gives the cover sucient resiliency to. cause it toeffect an air-tight engagement withthe opening 24, but in the eventofthe generation of too much pressure the cover 25 will. be forced offby the steam pressure before suicient pressure is generated to preventany possibility of an explosion.

The kettle may be providedA with the usual pivoted. Wire bail 3,I ofsubstantially U-shape, having. outwardly turned ends 32 which engage inthe apertures provided in metal ears 33 which are riveted. tothesidewall 34 of the kettle. Bail 3I. hasa wooden tubularhandle 35 and mayengage a stop 36. tohold the bail upward out of range of the flames ofthe.` stove on which the kettle sits. e

When the kettle IU'is madeof sheet metal its bottom 31 is joinedtotheside wall 34 by a double upwardly turned crimp 38. Kettle I6 isprovided withV a` discharge spout 39.- adapted to receive asuitablevtting 4Il4carried by theA rubber pressure hose 4I, which has atting 42 at the other end adaptedl to be screwed intoV the inlet bore 43of the vacuumfsealingdevice I2.` Conduit I I includes the hose and thetwo necessary fittings. The vacuuml sealingy device Il. is preferablyconstructed of one or more metal castings whichv are preferably made oflight metal such. as aluminum or magnesium soA as` toV be easy to handleby the In some embodiments the spout 39 may extendl from. cover 25.

In the device illustrated is included an upper casting 43 and a lowercasting 44. The lower .casting`44 comprises an annular metal memberformed with outer wall 45, inner wall 46, bottom wall 41 and an, annularsteam chamber 48. The v two walls 45, 46.are preferably substantiallycylindricall and the inner diameter ofthe inner wall 46 is such thatthebore 49 clears the glass screw threads I5 yet does not clear theradialflange I6. In one modication the device may be all one integralcasting, and the annular cavity may be eliminated, steam passingdirectly from. the inlet 43 throughone ho1'e.1.1y into fthecl'lamber 59.The purpose of the annular chamber48 is to distribute the steam aboutthehead so that itmay corne in from all sides .in one embodiment' oftheinvention and also to provide a water trap to catch the water thatcondenses` from the steam. This may be emptied byy turning the deviceupside down from time to time..

The lower'wall 4.1 is preferably provided with grooves and teeth 50 sothat when the device rests onv thev ange I6. ofjarl I3, steam, or vapormay escape through the grooves between theteeth. 50.Theclearfancesbetween-the bore49 andthe upper part I4 of the jar alsoprovide a conduit for escape of the steam. At one side the lower casting44 is formed with a radial enlargement 5I provided with the threadedinlet bore 43 for steam. At its upper end the outer Wall 45 is providedwith the radially extending attaching ange 52, having threaded bores 53for receiving the screw bolts 54, by means of which the upper casting orcover is secured to. the lower casting or body.

The screw bolts 54 pass through aperture 55 in the cover 43, and arepreferably equally spaced from each other. The cover 43 comprises asubstantially circular metal member provided with a. radially exten-dingtank 56, which may have a wooden or other heat insulating handle 51secured upon it. The circular cover 43 is preferably provided with ashallow cylindrical recess 58 of' sufficient sizeto receive the innerywall 46 of the body 44, and the inner wall 46 may accordingly be madeslightly longer than the outer wall 45 Suitablev gaskets may beremployed between cover 43 and. flange 52, but no gasket is employedbetween wall4'6' and cover 43as any slight leakage of steam into. theinterior 59 is immaterial. Cover 43 has an. upwardly projecting,centrally located cylindrical. boss 6D adapted tolserve as a support.and guide for a plunger 6I. Boss 60 has a throughbore 62 for slidabl'yreceiving the cylindrical plunger rod` 63, and also has an enlarged counterbore 64 for receivingahelicalcompression spring 65.`

Plunger '6I comprisestherocl 63, knob 66, and cap lifting head 61. Theknob 66 may be of metal or it. may be of heat insulating material, suchas a phenolic compensation compond. It hasa fiat upper surface 68 andahub 69, with a bore 16 for receiving the rod 63, which is. securedintoplaceby. a pin. 1li passing through the rod and hub and riveted. inplace. At its lower end the rod 63 has a. reduced threaded portion 12",which is threadediinto. a complementary bore 13' in the. cap-engaginghead 61.v Head 61 consists of'a disc-of nonmagnetic metal, such as oneof the light metals, for example,` aluminum, of such size that it maybel receivedA in the cylindrical chamber 59. Disc 61 is rabbetedadjacent its periphery on its lower sideY at 14 to receive a permanentmagnet 15` of annular form and rectangular cross section.

Magnet 15 may be of'high coercive force, being made of Alnico, in which.case its size may be correspondingly reduced; but' its polarity is suchthat a pole is located. below and' another above the annular magnet. Inany event, the strength of the magnet with relation to a metal cap I1 issuch that the magnet will lift the weight of the cap, but-is notstrong-enough to pull the cap off the container after the cap has beenpushed down into place with steam passing through the device.

Itis found that during thisoperation, when the cap is pushed down on thecan, suicient vacuum formsat once to hold the cap and push it off themagnet. Magnet 15 may` be secured in place by rivets, as shown', or mayhave av frictional t on a reduced cylindrical portion 16 of the head 61.The compression spring 65 is tted in the counterbore 64 surrounding theplunger rod 63, and engagingthe end ofthe hub 69. It is of suiicientstrength to hold' the plunger 6I in the upper position, shown in Fig. 2.The range of movement ofv the plunger mustl be suflicient so that whenit is pusheddown, the cap I1 will engage the top of the jar I3.

The inner wall 46 of' the lower casting or body 44 has a multiplicity ofdiagonally inwardly and downwardly directed steam-apertures 11 locatedto communicate with the rannular space 48 and with the space 49 abovethe jar, `and belowl the -cover Il when it isin the positionof Fig. 2.Apertures 'Htend to direct the.`steam downward intothe mouth of the jar|3 displacing .the air until air and steam are discharged through thegrooves between the ribs at the flange I6;

With the device of Figs/1 and 2 the sealing device is held in one handby means .of-the handle Eil and it is applied to jars `which. arebrought near to the assembly, the kettle I being ona suitable heatersuch as a gasburner.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 5, thesevviews show a modified form ofdevice in which the vacuum sealing device is self-supported, `lO-utisprovided with a lever for its manipulation inthis case: The device maybe .provided with :a metal base 'I8 having a pair of upwardly extendingcolumns 'i9 and 80, which may be of substantiallyl'eshape, beingprovided with a reenforcingflange 80. At the upper end the columns 'I9and 80 are also of T-shape having an inwardly extending .rack flange 8|,82 on each column.

The teeth 33 oi the rack are adapted to mesh with teeth 84 on thetwosegmentalgears 85, 86, but the teeth 84 extend over only a portion oftheperiphery of the gears B5, 85, these gears also having flat portions lilthat slide past the rack teeth 83. Gears 85, St also have teeth 88oppositely located to the teeth 84 and-are adapted to mesh with eachother at 89. The .gears 85, 86 may be supported by means oi pivot pins00,. 9| on a slider head 92; This slider head comprises a pair of sheetmetal plates 33, 94 whichare formed with pressed ribs 95 and groovesil'on4 their inner sides for receiving the flange -91 of `each column30. The plates 03, 94 are-placed suii-` cently to slidingly receive theracks .8|,.821 and to receive the gears 35, 86, these plates beingsecured by the pivot pins 80, 9| which serve as rivets also. Pivot pin9i is long enough tolprovide pivotal support for a handle leverj98,whichmay be made 0I" sheet metal and whichis' provided with a rivet 99extending through anfarcuate slot E08, the rivet being xedly secured toone gear S6. Handle lever 00 may have arnonme'tallic handle member |01at its end. The slider head 92 may support an assembly similar to thatof Fig. 2, the pin il serving in this case to secure the plunger @i tothe slider. head 92. In this case plunger rod 63 may have aflattened endportion |02 which is received between the plates 93, 94 to which it isriveted .by pin in such manner as to permit a limited pivotal movement.

Radial flange |03 limits pivotal movement of the plunger t on thesliding head 02 by engaging the bottom` of head 92. It has already beenpointed out that the device of Fig. 3 maybe utilized with the magnetplunger of Fig. 2. The plunger illustrated, however, is; adapted'to'liftglass caps i8. For this purpose the vcircularldisk |04, which isseouredto. the plunger rod 6| in a manner similar to Fig. 2, is provided`with spring ngers 23. These fingers are thin enough to `be receivedbetween the disky |04 and the inner wall 453. Each nger has a radiallyextending attaching flange 05 that is riveted or pinned to the top ofthediskiild. i i

From the danse 05 each iinger 23 has a downf wardly extending body V|06which curvesinward at |01, has a camming portion |08 and has. itsextreme end extending out at |09. {Thecamrning portion |08 is adapted toslide past-aglass cap `It! while the ngers are pressed apart -bythefcan6 then the cap is .retained above the ridge |08 on the fingers. Thefingers are preferably equally spaced and a plurality are used. The disk|04 in this case does' not have the magnet l5, but its lower side is ofsuch shape as to receive the upper face of aglass cap |8. The glass caphas a rubber'sealing ring I I0 applied to the cap surrounding thereduced cylindrical portion of the cap.. Reduced cylindrical portion ofthe cap. is received inthe mouth of the jar ||2 while the. rubbersealing ring H0 engages the upper edge.||3 and eiects an air-tightclosure. The strength of, the springs 23 is such that they will lift thecap I8 `when there is no vacuum in the jar, butwhen steam has beenapplied and the 'coveris pushed down by means oi handle |0| a vacuumisquickly formed of sufficient strength to hold the cover and withdrawit from the fingers 23 when the handle |0| `is pushed up again. A leafspring ||4 is carried by the sliding head 92, and has a retaining endportion I5 that is curved to be cammed upward by the gear teeth, buthasa pressed groove that receives the adjacent gear tooth and holds thegears and handle into `any position Vto which theoperator may move them.

The operation of the mechanism of Fig. 3 is as followst.

1 When the head 92 has its handle and gears in the position shown it maybe slid upward or downward on the columns to adjust the height of thehead to cans of any length.` During this motion the at edge portions Silof the gears slide pastthe teeth 83 on the racks. If the handle |0| isthen pivoted downward slightly in a counterclockwise direction, teeth 84will engage the rack teeth 83, gear 86 will, of course, mesh with gearby means of teeth 88 causing both gears to move simultaneously.

As soon as any gear tooth engages the rack the sliding `hea-d 92 will beheld in that adjusted position. This adjusted position should be suchthat the teeth 50 on the lower wall 4'| of the body 44 of the vacuumsealing device I2 will rest on the jar flange I6, then if the handle |0|is pushed downward farther it will cause the disk |03 and lingers 23 toengage cap I8, which may be lifted from the mouth of the jar by movingthe lever upward again.

The operation oi the vacuum sealing apparatus is `substantially asfollows:

Theqjar is lled with fruits or vegetables or other food and heated andsterilized, the lling being to a point illustrated by the dotted line|||iv of Fig. 2. The kettle ||l has been previously broughtto aboilwithits cover closed and its hose attached. to the vacuum sealing device ofFigs. l, 2 or 3. A cap is then placed on top the mouth of the jar,suchas a metal cap in Fig. 2 or a glass cap in Fig. 3.

The jar I3 or |2 is brought into the position shownin.- Figs. 2 or 3with the body 44 of the device resting on the flange I'c.` Steam thenpasseshfrom the kettle I0 through the conduit into `the annular chamber48 and the cover being carried `downward on the jar it passes over thecover and rout of the grooves between the teeth 50 `driving the air out.The operator should then push downward on the handle 56 and the magnet15 will engage the metal cover and lift it to the position of Fig. 2above the apertures 11. The same result `may be secured in Fig. 3 bycausing the vdisk |04 and fingers 23 to lift ythe glass cover I8.

. Thesteam will pass over the cover and will be eresmas? 7 directeddownwardly into the mouth" of jar lf3v or Il 2 driving out the air.,theair andsteamescaping through the grooves between the teeth. 50.

All or the space in the chamber 49 and top of jar I3 above food levelI.I l having been lled with steam the operator may push plunger El downagain with handle 66. The steam inside the. mouth of the jar I3 isimmediately isolated from. that above the cover II in spacell whichbecomes hotter than the steaml under the cover. A vacuum begins to format once injar I3 andA the air4 pressure or the differential of'pressureholds the cover onv the jar and pushes it away from. the magnet 15 orthe ngers 23 when the plunger 6I rises.

again. The jar may then immediately be removed from the device andfurther cooling effects a satisfactory vacuum forpreservation f heifOOdCanned peas are frequently cannedA at a vacuum of 14 inches of mercuryand canned cor-n at 15 inches of mercury, while the applicant has foundthat his device will equally produce a vacuum as high as 28 inches ofmercury;

llhe method of vacuum sealing fruit in containers according to myinvention may be briefly summarized as follows:

' The containers are sterilized and lled to a predetermined level withfood which has been heated and sterilized. A closure cover is placed onthe open mouth of the container and thereupon steam is directed into achamber surrounding the closure cover and top of the container over theclosure, thus sterilizing the top of the cover and such portions of thecontainer as are then exposed to steam in this chamber.

This cover is then lifted by mechanical devices located in the chamberand actuated by remotely controlled actuating devices sothat the covermay be lifted and its lower side sterilized by. a. continuous supply ofsuperheated steam under pressure.

The open mouth of the container is sterilized While the cover is held upand the air is driven outr by steam, a slight pressure being'maintainedin the chamber between the cover andthe open mouth, but the steam beingpermitted to escape down the side of the container.

The cover is then again deposited on the open mouth of the container bymechanical devices remotely actuated from the outside of fthechamber sothat hands do not touch the cover and'it is maintained in sterilecondition, as are also the inside and outside of the top of the jar. Thecover is placed in its sealing position and` steam is passed over thetop of' the cover. The steam is then hotter than that below the coverWhich is permitted to cool starting to form a vacuum, the differentialof pressure drawing the cover free from such mechanical devices andholding the cover on the container. The jar is then removed from thevacuum sealing device, or the vacuum sealing device is lifted from thejar, leaving the cover in place, after which the steam'V under the covercools and condensesand forms'a relatively high vacuum, considering thepresent purposes. Germs o all kinds are substantially excluded. The sealbetween the cover andthe top of the jar is improved by immediatelyapplying an annular screw member which fastens the cover in place byscrewing on the screw threads I5;

Another method of handling the apparatus of Fig. 2 is as follows: Theoperator may place a cap I'I in the chamber 59, either by shoving it upuntil the magnet holds it, or by inverting the' device and laying thecap inside. Then the device is placed upon the jar I3, and steam ispassed under the.l cap and.' intory the' open mouth ofthe jar tosterilize theunderside oft'the cap,. the mouth of the jan-and. thefood.: inside. Then the operator presses down.ont-heplunger` 6I, seatingthe cap onth'ejar, and thesteam passing over the topof the cap makesspace above the cap hotter, while the spacetbelow thecap cools.

This immediatelyy begins the formation of a vacuum by the condensationinside the jar;` and when the plunger is released and brought up to itsuppermostposition of Fig. 2, the vacuum holds the' cap and: pulls it.off the magnet. Then the device may be removed from the jar and thescrew flange applied to fix the cap permanently inrplace.

In the same Way the device of Fig. 3 may be used byl pushing a glass capup into the fingers IDB; and going through the saine steps justdescribed.

It. should also be noted that the device of Fig. 3 may beemployed with asingle column, and in this1caseZ also the annular steam trap may beeliminated and: steam` passed directly from the hose I I into the devicethrough a. single hole leading tothe chamberv 59;

It will-.thus be observed that I have invented animproved' apparatus andmethod for vacuum sealing of containers of food, Which apparatus isportable, simple, and.' economical. The technique of operatingfitisalsosimple, involving merely the boiling of thewater inthe kettlecontinuously While placingy the cap` on the jar that has beenpreviously' sterilized, applying the vacuum sealing device, actuatingthe plunger once to lift the f, cover, While steam is applied, andactuating the plunger again to deposit the cover, While steam isapplied;and then removing the jar and applyingfthescrew that secures the cover.

While, as much asv 25% spoilage has been experienced: when vacuumsealinghas been done at home with.v methods of the prior art, I have found'.that'substantially no spoilage need occur when my: vacuum. sealingl isaccomplished by my methods properly carried out.

Avacuum as highV as 28 inches has been found in;jars sealed by mymethods, and food has been keptfw months when sealed by mymethod,Without any spoilage in a` batch of manyjars.

While I have illustrated andA described preferred. methods and preferredforms of apparatusI embodying my invention, I do not wish to bei limitedto-theispeciiic forms of the invention described, but desire to availmyself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Havingvtlirusdescribed my invention, what I claimas newandidesire tosecure by Letters Patent of theUhited States, is:

l.. A portableA home apparatus for sealing containers off thetype havinga radially projecting shoulder locatedbelow'the mouth of the containercomprising a porta-ble head provided with a heat insulated'handle andinlet means for connection to-a sourceof'heated steam, said headcomprising a metal member formed with an annular wall and a downwardlyopen, substantially cylindrical sterilizing chamber, the size of saidchamber being-"such that it isv adapted to receive the open end ofthecontainer for food when the lower edge of said wall rests upon saidshoulder, said wall being provided with an annular steam chambercommunicating*withfsaid inlet means and the wall of said annular steamchamber being provided with a multiplicity of radially and downwardlydirected 'steam'apertures adapted to project steam downwadly'into themouthof said container for 9 food, said head being provided with acentrally located plunger extending outwardly from said -head through aguide boss, and supporting means `carried by said plunger in saidsterilizing chamber for supporting a cover for the food container 'abovesaid downwardly directed apertures when the plunger is in its uppermostposition, said supporting means having a predetermined resistance to thereleaseof the cover whereby, after the bot- `tom of the cover and thefood container have been tainers of the type having a radiallyprojecting shoulder located below the mouth of the container comprisinga portable head provided With a heat insulated handle and inlet meansfor connection to a source of heated steam, said head comprising a metalmember formed with an annular wall and a downwardly open, substantiallycylindrical sterilizing chamber, the size of said chamber being suchthat it is adapted to receive the open end of the container for foodwhen the Vlower edge of said wall rests upon said shoulder,

said wall being provided with an annular steam chamber communicatingwith said inlet means and the wall of said annular steam chamberbeingprovided with a multiplicity of radially and downwardly directedsteam apertures adapted to project steam downwardly into the mouthofsaid container for food, said head being provided with a centrallylocated plunger extending outwardly iromisaid head through a guide boss,supporting means carried by said plunger in said sterilizing chamber forsupporting a cover for the food container above said downwardly'directedapertures when the plunger is in its uppermost position, said supportingmeans having a predetermined resistance to the release of the coverwhereby, after the bottom of the cover and the food container have beensterilized by injection of steam between them, and the cover has beendepressed into engagement with the food container by said plunger, thecondensation of` steam inside the food container beneath the covercauses a vacuum which pulls the cover from said supporting means whenthe plunger is again lifted,leaving the cover held to the rfoodcontainer bythevacuum in the food container, the said plunger beingprovided on its upper end by an actuating member, and resilient meanscompressed between the plunger and its guideboss for urging the plungerto uppermost position. i

k3. A portable home apparatus for sealing containers of the type havinga radially projecting shoulder loca-ted below themouthof the containercomprising a portable head: provided with aV heat insulatedhandle andinlet means for -connection to a source of heated steam, said headcomprising a metal member formed with an annular wall and a downwardlyopen, substantially cylindrical sterilizing chamber, the size of` saidchamber being such that it is adapted to receive the open end of thecontainer for food when the lower edge of L10 steamvaperturesadapted toproject steam downwardly into the mouth of said container for food, saidhead being provided with a centrally located plunger extending outwardlyfrom said head through a guide boss,fand supporting meanscarried by saidplunger in said -sterilizing chamber for supporting a cover for the foodcontainer above said downwardly directed apertures when the plunger isin its uppermost position, said supporting means having a predeterminedresistance to the release of the cover whereby, after the bottom of thecover andthe food container have been `sterilized by injection. of steambetween them, `and the cover has Ibeen depressed into engagement withthe food container by said plunger, the condensation of steam inside thefood container beneath the cover causes a vacuum which pulls the coverfrom saidsupporting means whenthe i plunger is again lifted, leaving thecover held to the food container by the vacuum in the food container,the said supporting means on said plunger comprising a non-magnetic diskcarried `by the plunger, said non-magnetic disk supporting a permanentmagnet of annular shape adapted to attract and to support the cover for`the food con.- tainer.

4. A portable home apparatus for sealingconf tainers of thetype having aradially projecting shoulder located below themouth of the containercomprising a portable head provided with aiheat insulated handle andinlet means, for connection to a source of heated steam, said headcomprising` a metal member `formed with an annular Vwall and adownwardly open, substantially cylindrical sterilizing chamber, the sizeof said chamber being such that` it is adapted to receive the open end.of the container for food when the lower edgeof said wall rests uponsaid shoulder, said wall being provided with an annular steam chambercommunicating with said inlet means and the wall of said annular steamchamber being provided with a multiplicity of radially and downwardlydirected steam apertures adapted to project steam downwardly into themouth of said container for food, said head being provided with acentrally located plunger extending outwardly from said head through aguide boss, and vsupporting means care riedgby'said plunger in` saidsterilizing chamber for supporting a cover "for the food lcontainerabove said downwardly directed apertures when the plunger is in itsuppermost position, said sup? porting means having a predeterminedresistance to the release of the cover whereby, after the bot# tom ofthe cover and the food container have been sterilized by injection ofsteam between them, and the cover ,has been depressed into engagementwith the food container by said plunger, thecondensation of steam insidethe vfood container beneath the. cover causes a vacuum which vpulls thecover from `said supporting means when the plunger is again liftedleaving the cover'held vto the food container by the vacuum in the foodcontainer, the said supporting means on said plunger comprising asupporting disk and a plu rality of symmetrically located downwardly ex-Y,tending spring iingers, each of said fingers hav- `ing` an `inwardlyprojecting ridge adapted to cam over the edge of the cover of the foodcontainer, the resiliency of said ngers being such that they are adaptedto give and release the cover against the forcetending to retain thecover which is caused-by thevacuum in the food container.

5` In a home vacuum sealing device, the combination of a steam headcomprising an annular .castgmetar member formed with `a cylindricalvchamber open "at bothends :andwith an upwardly open Yannular steammanifold in its wall, said steam 'manifold `having a `threaded inlet for:connection to a source of heated steam, and the `innerwallof said steammanifold having a multiplicity of radially .and downwardly directed`steam .ports for directingsteam into the mouth .of a `food container,said casting Ahaving a cylindrical sterilizing chamber of a ksizeadapted to `receive the mouth ofa food container whenthe ylower edge ofthe wall of said casting rests upon .an annular shoulder carried by the`food container, a closure fplate 'for said Ailrst mentioned castingcomprising a second cast metal member fo'f circular shape adapted to 'ton the top of the :first mentionedcasting and to close the sterilizingchamber and-the steam manifold, said second casting being formed with acentrally .located :guide boss and a cylindrical guide bore in saidboss, a cylindrical plunger mounted in said bore, axmanual actuatorcarriedby the upper end of `said ,plunger, spring means compressedbetween said boss and said actuator and urging said -plungerto itsuppermost position, ya disk carried kby the lower end of said plunger,and supporting means carried by said disk of sui`cient strength to'liftand support a lmetalliccover for said food container whereby the plungermay be depressed to lift the cover tromthe food container so that thesteam may issue from said ports into said sterilizing chamber betweenthe cover and the mouth of the'ood container, being directeddownwardlyinto said food container `to drive out the air through the crank betweenthe lower edge .of the rst mentioned Vcasting and the shoulder on thefood container, 'the said supporting means being suiciently weak wherebyit is adapted to release the cover when the plunger lis depressed intoengagement with the open mouth of the vfood container cutting off thesupply of vheat from the steam issuing from said ports which causes thesteam below the cover and in the food container to `condense and form avacuum -which`holds the cover on the vfood container when the plunger isagain permitted to rise.

'6. Ina home vacuum sealing device, the combination of a steam'head'comprising an annular cast metal member formed with a' cylindricalchamber open atbothends Vand with an upwardly .open annular steammanifold in its wall, `said steam manifold Ahaving a threaded `-inletfor connection `to a source of heated steam, and the inner xwall of saidsteam manifold having a multiplicity of radially and vdownwardlydirected .steam `ports for directing 'steam 'into the mouth of a'ioodcontainer, saidcasting having a cylindrical sterilizing chamber of asize adapted to receive the mouth of a food container when the loweredge of the ywall of said casting 'rests 'upon an annular .shouldercarried by the food container, a closure plate for said Li'lrstmentioned casting comprising asecond cast lmetal member of 'circularshape .adapted to'it on the top of the iirst menl toned casting `and toclose the sterilizing chamber andthe steam manifold, said secondkcasting being `formed with a centrally located guide boss and acylindrical guide bore in said boss, a cylindrical plunger mounted insaid bore, `a manual actuator carri'edby 'the upper end of said plunger,spring means compressed between said boss and said lactuator and urging-said plunger to its uppermost position, a disk carried by'the lower endof said plunger, supporting means carried 'by said disk of suilicientstrength to 'lift and 12 whereby the plunger may be depressed to ylift`the cover from the food 'container so that the -steam may issue fromsaid ports into said sterilizing chamber between .the cover and themouth of the food container, being directed downwardly into said foodcontainer to drive out 'the air through the crack between Ythe lowervedge of the iirstmentioned casting and the shoulder on the foodcontainer, .the said supporting means being suliciently weak whereby vitis adapted to release the .cover when theplunger is depressed intoengagement with 'the `open lmouth of `the food container cutting `oil?the supply of heat from the steam issuing from said ports which ycausesthe steam below the 'cover and in the food Acontainer to condense-andforma vacuum which holds the cover on the ffood container when thelplunger is Vagain permitted rto rise, one of said castings being formedwith a radially `extending integral tang, and a heat insulating handlecarried by said tang.

7. In a home vacuumsealing device, the combination of .a steam headcomprising an annular cast metal .member `:formed with a cylindricalchamber open at both ends Iand with an upwardly open annular steammanifold in its wall, said steam manifold having a threaded inlet forconnection to a source of heated steam, and the inner wall of said steammanifcldhaving a multiplicity of radially yand downwardly directed steamports for directing steam into the mouth of a food container,saidcasting having a cylindrical sterilizing chamber of a size adapted toreceive the mouth 'of a food container when the lower edge of the wallor said'castingrests upon an annular shoulderfcarriedby .the foodcontainer, a closure. plate :for said. iirst mentioned castingcomprising a `second cast metal member of circular shape adapted toiit4on the top of the iirst mentioned casting and to close the sterilizingchamberV and the steam manifold, said second casting being .formed with`a `centrally located guide boss and a cylindrical guide 'bore in saidboss, a cylindrical plunger'mounted in said bore, amanual actuatorcarried .by the upper end of said plunger, spring .means compressedbetween said boss and said actuator and urging said plunger .to itsuppermost position, a disk carried by the lower .endet-said plunger,supporting means carried by said disk of vsui'icient strength to liftand support a' metallic cover for said food container whereby theplunger may be depressed to lift the cover Ifrom the food container sothat the steam may Vissue .fromfsaid ports into said sterilizing chamberbetween the cover and the mouth of the food container, being directeddown- Vwarrlly into said .food container to drive out the air throughlthe Icrack lbetween the lower edge of the rst mentioned casting and theshoulder -onth'e food container, the said supporting means beingsufliciently weak whereby it is adapted to release the cover when theplunger is depressed into engagement with the open mouth of the foodcontainer cutting off the supply of heat from the steam issuing fromsaid ports vwhich causes the steam below the cover and in the foodcontainer to condense and form a vacuum which 'holds the cover on thefood container when the plunger Vis again ypermitted to rise, one ofsaid castings'being formed with a radially extending integral tang, anda heat insulating handle carried by said tang, and said vfirst mentionedcasting having its lower edge formed with a plurality of serrationsproviding escape ports between said support a metallic cover for saidfood container lower edge andthe shoulder on said food-container W 13for the escape of air and steam from said Number sterilizing chamber.1,744,076 WILLIAM J. CHAMBERS. 2,152,534 2,339,035

REFERENCES CITED 5 The following references are of record in the NameDate Lebherz Jan. 21, 1930v Carvalho et a1 Mar.\23, 1939 Stewart et a1Jan. 11, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain May 2, 1938

